Clare legend Jamesie O’Connor believes the direct approach could see the Banner county grab All-Ireland glory this year.

But he admits that while his heart says Clare will win their semi-final on Sunday, his head gives a tentative nod to Limerick.

Himself a Liam McCarthy Cup winner in 1995 and ‘97, O’Connor was heartened to see the shackles come off Clare’s possession game in the quarter-final win over Galway.

Up until then he claims the senior side were playing a stilted game in comparison to the underage teams that have taken Munster by storm in recent years.

“There was a huge body of people who were very critical of the way Clare played,” said O’Connor.

“We had gone too possession-oriented, where the corner-back got the ball and it had to be worked methodically up the field.

“We saw in the Dublin game last year in the first half where it was turned over and the supporters were just, you know... but I thought that they were a lot more direct the last day against Galway.

“I thought tactically they got it spot-on. Pat Donnellan would have struggled with Jonathan Glynn at centre-forward, whereas Conor Ryan is a big, strong, physical guy and he was able to wrestle away with him.

“Cian Dillon at full-back could attack the ball and all you had to do was break it, Donnellan was there to pick up the breaks.

“Tactically that was huge and we looked a lot more secure as a result at the back.”

But O’Connor added: “The danger for Clare is that if they replicate what they did against Galway then Limerick will have a plan to address that so sometimes it can be about who can impose themselves tactically on the opposition.

“Limerick to me have a bit more experience and calling it now I would be leaning towards Limerick but hoping otherwise.”

Despite the criticism thrown at Davy Fitzgerald for adopting a possession game for his young side, O’Connor could see merit in it.

“In fairness to the management, look at the likes of Tony Kelly, Podge Collins, Colm Galvin, the type of player they have got,” O’Connor explained.